Classic Ponza (Pocket Primer)

Modern Land Destruction Midrange Primer RG (Gruul)

ILikeFood

Creature (16)

• 4x Arbor Elf
• 2x Birds of Paradise
• 4x Bloodbraid Elf
• 2x Inferno Titan
• 2x Klothys, God of Destiny
• 2x Platinum Emperion

Enchantment (8)

• 4x Blood Moon
• 4x Utopia Sprawl

Land (21)

• 7x Forest
• 1x Mountain
• 4x Stomping Ground
• 1x Temple Garden
• 4x Windswept Heath
• 4x Wooded Foothills

Instant (2)

• 2x Lightning Bolt

Sorcery (12)

• 3x Madcap Experiment
• 4x Pillage
• 1x Primal Command
• 4x Stone Rain

Planeswalker (1)

• 1x Chandra, Torch of Defiance

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Sideboard

Creature (3)

• 1x Obstinate Baloth
• 1x Shifting Ceratops
• 1x Thrun, the Last Troll

Sorcery (3)

• 2x Anger of the Gods
• 1x Storm's Wrath

Enchantment (5)

• 2x Cindervines
• 2x Rest in Peace
• 1x Stony Silence

Instant (4)

• 2x Abrade
• 2x Veil of Summer

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Maybeboard

Creature (7)

• 1x Bonecrusher Giant
• 1x Courser of Kruphix
• 1x Ignoble Hierarch
• 1x Pia and Kiran Nalaar
• 1x Scavenging Ooze
• 1x Tectonic Giant
• 1x Tireless Tracker

Land (1)

• 1x Kessig Wolf Run

Sorcery (1)

• 1x Mwonvuli Acid-Moss

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I would like to preface this Primer by saying this is not an optimised build of this deck. It is simply the version that best fits my budget. The ideal ''optimised'' list will be included at the end of the description

What is Ponza?

Ponza has lurked on the fringe of modern for a considerable amount of time. Now the meta might be just right for it to truly shine as a unique and fun deck. Be forewarned though, this deck comes with the side effects of losing friends, your banning from your LGS, and loss of your job (As you've now devoted all your time and soul to the Ponza gods). Hell, your dog won't like you anymore. You see, ponza is unique because it destroys lands. On turn 2. That's the goal of the deck, to get quick land disruption and follow it with a huge threat. Still interested? Then time to dump/divorce any SO you have, block your friends texts, and get a cat. Also worth mentioning, the deck is called Ponza because of a deep fried calzone dish served at a restaurant called Jimmy's Grotto.

Turns 1 and 2

Your first 2 turns are arguably the most decisive, as you have a very specific line of play that you should try to accomplish. Turn 1, you need to ramp. Utopia Sprawl is arguably the best, as it is difficult to interact with. Your dorks also work fine, just remember when you have a hand with a dork, that they are susceptible to removal, and so you need to think of the worst case scenario. Ideally you land the your ramp and can then windmill slam a Blood Moon or land destruction spell. This sets your opponent back more than just a land, as it's a tempo black hole. It's also important to remember how matchup dependant Blood Moon is. It's amazing against decks light Amulet Titan, but is just too slow against burn. It's also worth noting that your opponent can crack a fetch for a basic in response to blood moon.

Turns 3 and 4

Your turn 3 is also very matchup dependant, and is usually a judgment call. To you want more ramp for a big finisher, more land disruption too slow down your opponent, or just a blocker? Think about the your opponent's deck and what's in your hand so you make the right call. Turn 4 is when you ideally establish a clock. Bloodbraid Elf and the madcap combo are great here. After landing your threat, you need to close out the game as quickly as possible, as you won't have a lot of gas left. Another Stone Rain like effect here does wonders, as it puts your opponent on the back foot and buys time.

General notes/tips and tricks (Under construction)

I'll try to complete this by Feurary 3

Optimised List

8x Forest 1x mountain 3x Stomping ground 4x Windswept Heath 4x Wooded foothills 1x Temple Garden 4x Blood Moon 3x Molten Rain 4x Stone rain 3x Inferno titan 4x Bloodbraid elf 2x Klothys, God of Destiny 2x Tireless Tracker 4x Arbor elf 2x Birds of paradise 3x Lightning Bolt

Sideboard: 3x Rest in peace 2x Stony silence 3x Trinisphere 1x Tireless Tracker 1x Pillage 2x Anger of the Gods 1x Obstinate Baloth 2x Veil of Piece

Top Ranked	Achieved #45 position overall 4 years ago Achieved #5 position in Modern 4 years ago Achieved #1 position in Modern Primer 4 years ago
Date added	4 years
Last updated	3 years
Legality	This deck is Modern legal.
Rarity (main - side)	11 - 1 Mythic Rares 19 - 9 Rares 10 - 5 Uncommons 12 - 0 Commons
Cards	60
Avg. CMC	3.05
Tokens	Emblem Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Folders	Fun Ideas, Decks